Cup ejecting device for a cup sealing machine

ABSTRACT

A cup sealing machine includes a platform slidable forward and rearward relative to a housing, one or more guide posts dependent downward from the platform, and a cup supporting device slidably engaged on the guide posts and having a barrel slidably engaged through an opening of the platform for supporting a cup to be sealed. The cup supporting device includes one or more wheels for engaging with one or more inclined surfaces of the housing for moving the barrel upward and outward beyond the platform when the platform is moved forward relative to the housing.

[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 09/1528,211, entitled: CUP EJECTING DEVICE FOR A CUP SEALING MACHINE, filed on Mar. 17, 2000, to be abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a lid or cup sealing machine, and more particularly to a cup sealing machine having a cup ejecting device for stably holding the cup to be sealed.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] A typical cup sealing machine 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and comprises a housing 11, a plastic film supply or apply device 12 provided on top of the housing 11, an upper seat 13 and a lower seat 14 received in the housing 11 for cup or lid sealing purposes. The lower seat 14 includes a support 141 having an opening 148 formed therein for receiving the cup 20 to be sealed. The lower seat 14 includes a block 146 secured to the bottom thereof and coupled to a motor 44 with a link 142 and a crank 143 or the like, for allowing the lower seat 14 to be moved inward and outward of the housing 11 by the motor 144. The housing 11 may include one or more tracks 145 provided therein for guiding the block 146 or the lower seat 14 to move inward and outward of the housing 11. The housing 11 includes one or more guides 35 disposed or provided on the front portion thereof and having one or more inclined surfaces 351 provided thereon. A cup holding device 30 includes a follower 31 secured to the block 146 and moved in concert with the block 146, and a post 32 slidably engaged through the follower 31. The post 32 includes a plate 34 disposed or provided on top thereof for supporting the cup 20 to be sealed, and includes a roller 33 attached to the bottom thereof for engaging with the inclined surfaces 351 of the guides 35 and for moving the cup 20 upward and outward of the lower seat 14 when the lower seat 14 and the cup holding device 30 are moved outward of the housing 11. However, the cup 20 may not be stably held in place and may be easily tilted relative to the lower seat 14 when the cup 20 is moved upward and outward of the lower seat 14.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,977 to Hsu discloses one of the typical cup sealing machines similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and comprises a plate for supporting and moving the cup upward and outward of the lower seat or the like. The cup also may not be stably held in place by the plate when the cup is moved upward and outward of the lower seat.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,500 to Danforth et al. also discloses a similar typical cup sealing machine comprising a plate guided to move up and down relative to the lower seat by guiding posts, for supporting and moving the cup upward and outward of the lower seat or the like. Similarly, the cup or the like is simply disposed on top of the plate and also may not be stably held in place by the plate when the cup is moved upward and outward of the lower seat.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,161 to Vermeulen discloses a support device for supporting the cups to be sealed. However, the cup support device is solidly and stably retained in place and may not be moved inward and outward of a housing or a lower seat or the like, such that the users have to engage and dispose the cups into and out of the housing and into and out of the cup support device, such that the users' hands may have a good chance to be clamped and damaged by the cup sealing or pressuring plate or the like.

[0009] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional cup sealing machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cup sealing machine including a cup supporting or ejecting device for stably holding and moving the cup to be sealed inward and outward of the cup sealing machine.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cup sealing machine comprising a housing, a platform slidably supported on the housing, the platform including an opening formed therein, means for moving the platform forward and rearward relative to the housing, at least one guide post secured to the platform and dependent downward from the platform, the guide post being moved in concert with the platform to move forward and rearward relative to the housing, a cup supporting device slidably engaged on the guide post and guided to move upward and downward along the guide post and guided to move upward and downward relative to the platform, the cup supporting device being moved in concert with the guide post and the platform to move forward and rearward relative to the housing, the cup supporting device including a barrel extended therefrom and slidably engaged through the opening of the platform for supporting a cup to be sealed, and means for actuating the barrel to move upward and outward beyond the platform when the platform is moved forward relative to the housing.

[0012] One or more bars may be secured to the cup supporting device and engaged on the guide post and guided to move toward and away from the platform.

[0013] The actuating means includes at least one inclined surface provided in a front portion of the housing, and at least one wheel attached to the bar for engaging with the inclined surface of the housing and for moving the barrel upward and outward beyond the platform when the platform is moved forward relative to the housing.

[0014] The cup supporting device includes at least one extension extended from the barrel and secured on the bar. A spring may be engaged on the guide post and engaged with the extension of the cup supporting device for biasing the barrel of the cup supporting device downward along the guide post.

[0015] The housing includes at least one channel for slidably receiving a track of the platform and for guiding the platform to move forward and rearward relative to the housing.

[0016] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a typical cup sealing machine;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a partial plan schematic view of the typical cup sealing machine;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of a cup sealing machine having a cup ejecting device in accordance with the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the cup ejecting device of the cup sealing machine;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0022]FIGS. 6, 7 are partial plan schematic views illustrating the operation of the cup ejecting device of the cup sealing machine;

[0023]FIGS. 8, 9, 10 are partial perspective views illustrating the operation of the cup ejecting device of the cup sealing machine; and

[0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a cup to be sealed and held and moved by the cup ejecting device of the cup sealing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 3-5, a cup sealing machine in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing 90 including one or more, such as a pair of opposite walls 91 each having a channel 92 formed therein and preferably facing toward each other, and including a rear portion 902 (FIG. 6), and including a front portion 901 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7) having a pair of blocks 93 secured thereto, such as secured to the front portion of the walls 91. The blocks 93 each includes an inclined surface 931 formed in the upper portion thereof, and having a rear portion located lower than the channels 92 of the walls 90 and having a front portion located higher than the channels 92 of the walls 90 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7).

[0026] A platform 80 includes a peripheral portion, such as includes two side portions disposed or supported or engaged above the walls 91 (FIGS. 4-10), and includes one or more rails or tracks 84 attached thereto and slidably engaged in the respective channels 92 of the walls 90 for guiding the platform 80 to move inward and outward of the walls 91 of the housing 90 (FIGS. 6, 7). The platform 80 includes an opening 81 formed therein. One or more, such as two guide posts 50 are disposed below the platform 80 and perpendicular to the platform 80 and each includes a screw hole 51 formed in the upper portion thereof. One or more, such as two fasteners 83 are threaded through the holes 82 of the platform 80 and threaded to the screw holes 51 of the guide posts 50 for securing the guide posts 50 to the bottom of the platform 80. The guide posts 50 each includes a stop or a clamping ring 53 or the like secured to a lower annular groove 52 thereof.

[0027] One or more, such as two bars 60 each includes an orifice 61 formed therein for slidably receiving the respective guide posts 50 and for guiding the bars 60 to move up and down relative to the guide posts 50, and each includes a screw hole 62 formed in the upper portion and another screw hole 63 formed in the side portion thereof. The bars 60 may be engaged with the clamping rings 53 of the guide posts 50 for limiting the downward movement of the bars 60 relative to the guide posts 50, and for preventing the bars 60 from being disengaged from the guide posts 50 respectively. A roller or a wheel 70 is rotatably secured to each of the bars 60 with a fastener 71 which may be threaded to the screw hole 63 of the bar 60. The wheels 70 are provided for engaging with the inclined surfaces 931 of the blocks 93 respectively (FIG. 7), for guiding and forcing the bars 60 to move up and down along the guide posts 50.

[0028] A cup supporting device 40 includes a cylindrical barrel 41 slidably received in the opening 81 of the platform 80, and having a chamber 411 formed therein for receiving the cup 100 to be sealed, and having a peripheral flange 42 extended radially outward from the bottom thereof, and having a pair of extensions 421 extended outward therefrom. The extensions 421 of the cup supporting device 40 each includes an orifice 422 formed therein for slidably receiving the respective guide posts 50 and for guiding the cup supporting device 40 to move up and down relative to the guide posts 50, and each includes a hole 423 formed therein for receiving the fasteners 64 which may be threaded to the screw holes 62 of the bars 60 and which may thus secure the cup supporting device 40 to the bars 60, such that the cup supporting device 40 may also be guided to move up and down along the guide posts 50. One or more springs 54 may be engaged on the guide posts 50 respectively and engaged with the extensions 421 of the cup supporting device 40 for biasing and forcing the cup supporting device 40 downward to the lower portions of the guide posts 50.

[0029] As best shown in FIG. 5, the barrel 41, or the chamber 411 of the barrel 41 includes an upper portion having an inner diameter greater than that of the lower portion thereof, such that the barrel 41 includes an inclined or cone-shaped inner peripheral surface for forming or defining the chamber 411 thereof and for supporting the cup 100. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cup 100 to be sealed normally includes a peripheral rim 101 extended radially outward from the upper portion thereof and includes a peripheral shoulder 103 formed or provided on the upper portion thereof and located below the peripheral rim 101 for engaging with the barrel 41 and for allowing the cup 100 to be supported in the barrel 41. The barrel 41 has an open bottom, such that the cups 100 of different length or height may also have their peripheral rims 101 or peripheral shoulders 103 engaged or supported on the upper peripheral portion of the barrel 41.

[0030] Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, the bars 60 and the cup supporting device 40 are coupled to the platform 80 with the guide posts 50, and thus may be moved in concert with the platform 80. The bars 60 may also be formed integral with the cup supporting device 40. The cup sealing machine includes an actuating device or a moving device 85 disposed in the housing 90 and coupled to the platform 80 for moving the platform 80 inward and outward of the housing 90, or of the walls 91 of the housing 90. The moving device 85 may be the hydraulic cylinders or the pneumatic cylinders, or the motor driven mechanisms as disclosed in FIG. 2, or the like. The barrel 41 may include a notch 412 formed therein. The housing may include a detecting device, such as an infrared detecting device (not shown) for emitting an infrared ray through the notch 412 of the barrel 41, in order to detect whether a cup 100 is received in the barrel 41 or not.

[0031] In operation, as shown in FIG. 6, when the platform 80 and thus the cup supporting device 40 are supported or located within the housing 90 or within the walls 91 of the housing 90 or located closer to the rear portion 902 of the housing 90, the wheels 70 are disengaged from the blocks 93, such that the bars 60 and thus the cup supporting device 40 may be biased downward to the lower portion of the guide posts 50 by the springs 54. As shown in FIG. 7, when the platform 80 and thus the cup supporting device 40 are moved outward of the front portion 901 of the housing 90 or of the walls 91 of the housing 90, the wheels 70 may be engaged with the inclined surfaces 931 of the blocks 93, such that the bars 60 and thus the cup supporting device 40 may be guided and forced to move upward along the guide posts 50 against the springs 54, and such that the barrel 41 of the cup supporting device 40 and the cup 100 may be moved upward and outward of the platform 80.

[0032] It is to be noted that the cup 100 may be stably retained in the barrel 41 when the cup 100 is moved either upward or downward relative to the platform 80 by the barrel 41, such that the cup 100 has no chance to be tilted relative to the barrel 41 when the cup 100 is moved upward or downward relative to the platform 80. The prior cup sealing machines fail to provide a barrel 41 that may be slided or moved inward and outward in concert with the platform 80, and that may be slidably attached to the platform 80 with one or more guide posts 50, for allowing the barrel 41 to stably support the cup 100 when the cup 100 is moved relative to the platform 80.

[0033] Accordingly, the cup sealing machine in accordance with the present invention includes a cup ejecting device for stably holding the cup to be sealed inward and outward of the cup sealing machine.

[0034] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. A cup sealing machine comprising: a) a housing, b) a platform slidably supported on said housing, said platform including an opening formed therein, c) means for moving said platform forward and rearward relative to said housing, d) at least one guide post secured to said platform and dependent downward from said platform, said at least one guide post being moved in concert with said platform to move forward and rearward relative to said housing, e) a cup supporting device slidably engaged on said at least one guide post and guided to move upward and downward along said at least one guide post and guided to move upward and downward relative to said platform, said cup supporting device being moved in concert with said at least one guide post and said platform to move forward and rearward relative to said housing, said cup supporting device including a barrel extended therefrom and slidably engaged through said opening of said platform for supporting a cup to be sealed, and f) means for actuating said barrel to move upward and outward beyond said platform when said platform is moved forward relative to said housing.
 2. The cup sealing machine according to claim 1 further comprising at least one bar secured to said cup supporting device and slidably engaged on said at least one guide post and guided to move toward and away from said platform.
 3. The cup sealing machine according to claim 2 , wherein said actuating means includes at least one inclined surface provided in a front portion of said housing, and at least one wheel attached to said at least one bar for engaging with said at least one inclined surface of said housing and for moving said barrel upward and outward beyond said platform when said platform is moved forward relative to said housing.
 4. The cup sealing machine according to claim 3 , wherein said cup supporting device includes at least one extension extended from said barrel and secured on said at least one bar.
 5. The cup sealing machine according to claim 1 further comprising means for biasing said barrel downward and away from said platform.
 6. The cup sealing machine according to claim 5 , wherein said cup supporting device includes at least one extension extended from said barrel and slidably engaged on said at least one guide post, said biasing means includes a spring engaged on said at least one guide post and engaged with said at least one extension of said cup supporting device for biasing said barrel of said cup supporting device downward along said at least one guide post.
 7. The cup sealing machine according to claim 1 , wherein said actuating means includes at least one inclined surface provided in a front portion of said housing, and at least one wheel attached to said cup supporting device for engaging with said at least one inclined surface of said housing and for moving said barrel of said cup supporting device upward and outward beyond said platform when said platform is moved forward relative to said housing.
 8. The cup sealing machine according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one channel formed therein, said platform includes at least one track attached thereto and slidably engaged in said at least one channel of said housing for guiding said platform to move forward and rearward relative to said housing. 